86 Useful Travel Tips for Italy

1. You don't really need to see the "Big Three" to enjoy Italy (Rome, Florence and Venice). Although these cities are amazing to see, they are increasingly crowded, full of tourists, expensive and will exhaust you with waiting on long lines--often for hours.
   
2. Go off the beaten path. Find towns no one has ever heard of. Drive down the Autostrada and take an exit and follow your nose. You will always find an interesting, historic and beautiful little town in any part of Italy. That's where you will really get a feel for the real Italy.
   
3. Tuscany is beautiful with dozens of well known (and touristy) hilltowns to visit. There are hundreds more smaller towns that are not as crowded or well known with beauty and great things to see. Again, try to find the hidden gems.
   
4. Italy is a lot more than just Tuscany, Florence or the Under the Tuscan Sun craze in Cortona. From the hills of Langhe to Puglia in the south with its trulli, cave towns and pristine beaches. If you love food, then travel to Romagna, where there are fewer tourists and amazing discoveries.
   
5. Tipping is not required. Table waiters get paid as high as entry level white collar workers--with benefits and a full month vacation each year. In taxis you can round up if you'd like. In restaurants, it's not needed. Tour guides do boldly hold their hands out. Tipping is up to you in these situations.
   
6. Pick pocketing is an issue in larger metropolitan areas like Rome and Venice, but it’s not any worse than New York City, London or Paris. Act like a big city person and you'll be fine. Act like a mindless, careless tourist and you'll be ripped off.
   
7. Newspapers and magazines are bought at an edicola, and sometimes in tabacchi (tobacco shops).
8. Pay attention to billboards, TV ads or ask hotel managers or other locals about any Feste or Sagre (street fairs, festivals) going on in your location. Usually based on a saint day or a particular food harvest, these are worth searching out, but be aware that these bring crowds--especially the locals.
   
9. Dates are written as day-month-year, i.e. 18/5/15 for May 18, 2015.
   
10. Times are indicated in 24-hr format. Simple trick... just add the hour after noon-time to 12 to get the conversion... 12 + 1 o'clock = 13 hrs, or 12 + 7 o'clock = 19 hrs. 8am is still 8 am.
    
11. Italy uses the metric system for measuring everything. 2.2 pounds = 1 kilo. 1.6 kilometers = 1 mile.
    
12. Airport and rail stations have public restrooms, many with attendants who expect to be tipped--leave a few coins. If it's filthy or doesn't have a toilet seat, leave nothing by a stern look. Also, keep coins with you (especially 1 Euros) as many toilets are coin operated, especially in privately owned tourist spots.
    
13. By law, bars and cafes have to let people use the restrooms, even if you aren't buying anything.
    
14. Pack some tissues in case there is no toilet paper in restrooms.
    
15. Churches require all women to cover their shoulders and legs--no shorts. Men should remove hats. 
    
16. Credit cards are widely accepted, but just like in the U.S. there might be a minimum like 10 or 20 Euros. Carry extra cash for the smaller purchases.
    
17. Public phones are not extinct. You will still find them but they can be difficult to use, especially with a credit card. When we went to Italy, we just arranged beforehand with our carrier (Verizon) to turn on their "World" plan so we could use our mobile phones in Italy. You should study up on how to dial numbers for in-country calls and calls back to the U.S. though.
    
18. Many small shops have "shopping assistants" that will walk with you, ask  to help find your size, and carry the clothing with you. Don't be offended if they won't let you shop alone, it's just the high degree of prideful service you are given in shops across Italy. Wrapping your purchases can be a real complex event!
    
19. To be blunt, if you are overweight, avoid shopping for clothing in Italy. Although there are some "plus size" women's clothing chains in Italy, they are hard to find. The same is true for men. Most shops cater to very small sizes and simply will not have anything close to your size.
    
20. Store exchange policies are rare.
    
21. Shops close for lunch between 12 noon and 3 or 4pm. Everything shuts down by 7:30pm. Only in Rome have I seen shops open longer.
    
22. Restaurants are closed for lunch. Go to a "bar" (a place for espresso and sweet things for breakfast, and smaller fare for lunch) for a sandwich or other small food items or plan to buy things for a picnic early in the morning at alimentari or markets. Again, in larger cities like Rome or Florence, you will find more open for lunch, especially near tourist hotspots. 
    
23. Restaurants open for dinner between 7:30 and 8pm. Plan late afternoon snacks or a trip to a gelateria to tide you over until dinnertime.
    
24. In large towns, cities and large metropolitan (suburban) areas, stores are open on Saturday but closed on Sunday.
25. Do banking in the morning when they are open. Otherwise, they close for a long lunch and reopen for another hour later in the afternoon.
    
26. Most, but not all National Holidays in Italy are religious in nature:
    • January 1st, New Year’s Day
    • January 6th, Epiphany
    • Easter Sunday
    • Easter Monday
    • April 25th, Anniversary of Italy’s liberation
    • May 1st, Labor Day
    • June 2nd, Anniversary of the institution of the Republic
    • August 15th (Ferragosto), Assumption
    • November 1st, All Saints
    • December 8th, Annunciazione
    • December 25th, Christmas
    • December 26th, St Stefano.
      
    
    
27. You have to wear plastic gloves to pick up food in the produce section of the grocery store. Look for them nearby the produce. In markets, point to the fruits or veggies that you want--usually the grocer picks for you.
    
28. In large supermarkets, bag your own groceries and pay a few cents for the bag or bring your own reusable bag. In alimentari, they will sometimes offer a bag if you don't have anything.
    
29. Many Italian hotels include a typical Italian sweet breakfast, i.e., coffee, tea, breads, cornetti, jams.
30. Try going to a bar for breakfast. Get out early and order an espresso and cornetto and eat it like an Italian standing at the counter. If you want to sit to have your coffee or refreshment anytime during the day, there might be an extra table charge.
    
31. Cappuccino is a morning drink--with breakfast. Italians consider the addition of milk to be a breakfast thing.
    
32. In bars and snack shops and some fast food chains, you ask for what you want first, then carry the scontrino (receipt) to a second person who fills your order, then tears the receipt (so it can't be used again) and gives it back to you.
    
33. Europeans don't use much ice. If you ask for ice, they will either bring back a couple of cubes and drop them into your warm drink (where they will disappear instantly) or place a small dish with a few cubes on the table. Beforehand, ask if the drink you are ordering is fresca (fresh) or freddo (cold).... "La Coca Cola, e freddo?"
    
34. There are some restaurants that offer take out food, but these are rare in Italy. Usually you can get food for take-out (per porta via--for road carry?) at fast food and snack shops (rosticceria) that have panini, pizzas and the like. If they have some tables and chairs but you are ordering at the counter, they might ask "per mangiare o per portare fuori?" (eating here or for take out?)
    
35. A great way to get an early meal is to go to a bar for Aperitivo between 6pm and 8:30pm. It's sort of like cocktail hour with free food. Some small town bars might only offer chips and pretzels and the like, but if you search out the best aperitivo buffet bars, you will find a fairly big assortment of things to nosh on.... making finding dinner unnecessary.
36. Normally, bread is not given with dinner, but in tourist areas, they might put bread (and even butter) on the table--but there might be a charge for it! There is no such thing as dipping bread in a little bowl of olive oil, like in U.S. faux-Italian restaurants (Olive Garden... ugh). Italians might drizzle olive oil on top of bread, but their main use for bread at dinnertime is tearing off pieces and using it as a scarpetta (little slipper) for sopping up the sauces left on the dinner plate.
    
37. Italians are superstitious about bread: never ever leave it upside down on the table (bad luck) and never stab it with a knife (it's like stabbing the body of Christ).
    
38. There are no doggie bags in Italy. The portions are not over-sized like they are in Italian-American restaurants, so this shouldn't be a problem.
    
39. Salad (insalada) is considered a separate course in a meal. You'll never see a salad served before the Primo course.
40. Italian weddings have at least 15 courses, with guests typically feasting for 5 or 6 hours.
41. Restaurants serve only bottled water when it's asked for... either gassata (gassy) or naturale (non carbonated). Save money by not ordering sodas and get a large bottle (bottiglia) of water for the table. Sodas can be more expensive than wine in most restaurants. 
    
42. Most water is safe in public fountains but if not, will have a sign saying "non-potabile". So, no sign - OK. You'll save a lot of money by refilling sport or thermos bottles from public spigots. (I am referring to water spigot "fountains", not decorative ones).
    
43. In general, coffee is not a "take out" drink in Italy. You drink espresso in china cups at coffee bars. However, there are snack bars at places like train stations where you can get a "per porta via" caffe in a plastic cup.
    
44. Cheese is never used in fish recipes.
45. Salad dressing is oil and vinegar, perhaps a sprinkle of balsamic.
    
46. There are over 100 different types of pasta in Italy, with each region have their specialties.
    
47. Waiters and waitresses are salaried in Italy, and restaurant owners don't expect to have more than one seating per evening. Take your time with dinner. Don't rush. You can sit their for many hours and enjoy the food and conversation.... it's the Italian way. 
    
48. Waters won't bring the check until you ask for it (il conto, per favore). The waiter considers it impolite to bring the bill before being asked.
    
49. When ordering food at a restaurant, there are no substitutions.
50. There is no Alfredo sauce in most restaurants, unless you go to Il Vero Alfredo across from the Augustus Mausoleum Alfredo sauce is not Italian. It's more of a tourist dish in Rome and unheard of in the rest of Italy. 
51. Cioccolata calda (hot chocolate) is much richer in Italy and although you can order it with breakfast, it's considered more of a merenda (snack)
52. Grated aged cheeses (like Parmigiano Reggiano or Grana Padana) are typically used on top of pasta along with traditional sauces. Italians don't put grated cheese on pizza. Shavings of of parmigiano will be served over bresaola or carpaccio.
53. Nothing but pork products (ham, prosciutto, pork sausages) are considered appropriate meat for pizza in Italy.
    
54. There is no chicken Parmesan in Italy. In fact, there are no pasta dishes that include chicken as an ingredient. 
55. Many Italians--especially the under 30 crowd--speak some English, and many are very willing to test their English on you. Just be sure to test your Italian on them also.
    
56. Soccer is called wither football or calcio and when there are games on Sundays, a large part of the population is obsessed.
57. Girl watching is is popular in Italy. Most flirtations are harmless with men calling women endearing names like "Bellissima", "Contessa" or "Carissima".  Men will stare at women more boldly than in the U.S. Simply smile and perhaps say gratzie, and keep moving.
    
58. The second most popular sport in Italy is car racing. Formula One is king, but any race is as important.
    
59. Cycling is still huge in Italy.
    
60. Azzurro, light blue, is the color of every national athlete’s jersey.
    
61. Italians tend to shower at night, and change to clothes to compliment their bella figura before going out for the evening, whether to a restaurant, bar or a simple stroll during passeggiata.
    
62. In Italy it is not socially acceptable to be drunk. An Italian would be shamed if caught drunk.
    
63. Business formal is the norm for all office and sales jobs. For men, wearing a tie is appropriate  for the workplace.
64. Men still wear Speedos on Italian beaches, even when they don't have the body to go with it.
65. Topless sunbathing is common on northern beaches, and not so much in the South.
66. While in the US temperature in public places is determined by the one who feels hot (and hence she is the one who lowers the temperature in the space), in Italy the one who’s cold is always right and her requests will determine a room’s temperature. Italians are more sensitive to drafts than Americans. 
67. Air conditioning in Italy is never really cold.
    
68. Chrysanthemums are only for funerals in Italy.
    
69. When entering someone’s house, ask “Permesso?” --for permission to enter.
70. Lines (post office, bank, bar, bakery, etc. ) are never proper lines like Americans are used to. Be assertive when waiting your turn in Italy. Say "Sto accanto!" (I'm next) forcefully when you feel it's your turn. Don't let people get ahead of you. 
    
71. Purple is the color of lent and is thought of as an unlucky color. Never wear purple to a wedding.
    
72. Driving in Italy is terrible, especially in cities or on tight, narrow roads (read more about driving on the Amalfi Coast here). Keep your right, be alert, and watch for scooters and motorcycles using the white line as their personal lane. Stop signs and lights mean little.
    
73. Read up on the ZTL zones (Zona Traffico Limitato) before driving in Italy. These are No Drive zones.
    
74. Don't plan on driving in Florence, Rome or especially Naples.
    
75. You can't usually hail a taxi in Italy, but you might get one to stop if he is empty, not headed to a radio call, and you are on a wide street where taxis are allowed to stop. Just try to get taxis at taxi stands and you'll be fine.
    
76. If you call a cab, the meter starts running when the driver starts to come to your location.
    
77. The left lane in the autostrada is for passing only.Leave your left blinker on while you are in the left lane. Turn left blinker off when you return to the slow lane.
78. Make sure you respect the speed limits. Relax and stay in the right or middle lane on highways. Contrary to general assumptions, and especially in recent years, police has gotten very strict about speeding and automated cameras that photograph your plate number are in use all over Italy. You'll get a ticket in the mail in 6 months to a year after you've returned home. Many smaller towns also have automated speed zones too. Just pay the fine if you get one.
79. If someone flashes their brights behind you, it’s because they want you to move to the right lane so that they may pass. Don't take this as an aggressive move... Just pull over and let the person pass. Whatever you do, DON'T flip the bird to an Italian man. It's WAY more offensive in Italy than in the States!
    
80. Before boarding a train you need to validate your ticket. You will have to validate your ticket directly on buses too. Italian time tables are not accurate all the time. Expect delays.
    
81. Scooters, bicycles and motorcycles share the road with cars, and they will zip by on your left and right in a one-lane road or on blind curves!
82. It’s hard to pay for gas with a credit card, especially after operating hours other than on the autostrada. Have lots of Euro coins handy, especially if traveling on a Sunday.
    
83. No right turn on red, but then again, Italians never pay attention to red lights or stop signs.
    
84. In Italy, cars are extremely important and usually are babied. Italians remove trash from their cars every day. However, they care little about littering the countryside.
    
85. Italians will drink beer, gassy water or soda with pizza.
    
86. Pesto in Italy is only used as a sauce for pasta.
    

--Jerry Finzi

Please LIKE this post or share it... grazie.



Copyright, Jerry Finzi, Grand Voyage Italy, All rights reserved
.